Jane Derrick - Civil Celebrant, North East Victoria

The joy of meeting new people and becoming part of one of the most significant days of their lives, makes me passionate about being a marriage celebrant.

I am a former teacher and I was an educator in the Life Education van, and being a marriage celebrant has realised one of my life-long dreams.

Every couple is different and therefore no two ceremonies are the same. The wishes of each couple are of the utmost importance in planning the wedding, its content and the people involved.

Basing your ceremony around the story of your meeting, courtship and lives together is one of my greatest delights.

I like to have three or four meetings prior to the ceremony to ensure the day will be stress free and the ceremony the one you want for the most important occasion of your life.

The first meeting will bee at a time and place that suits you, so we can get to know each other and fill out the initial documents.

Ceremonies can be as short or as long as you want and as serious or humorous as you desire.

Many of the most meaningful vows are the ones you write yourselves, sharing touching, profound and sometimes humorous moments from your lives and relationship together. If you are not confident writing your own vows, I have suggestions of vows to help with ideas.

Living at Boweya in NE Victoria and having spent time in the High Country, I have performed many ceremonies in the area, from Wangaratta to the Alpine areas. I am also prepared to travel, having had weddings in Melbourne, the Yarra Valley, Sydney, the Blue Mountains and even the Hunter Valley.

I handle all legal matters, but you will need to produce your original birth certificates.

As a memento of the occasion I will give you a copy of the ceremony on quality paper in a burgundy folder.